Butch Murray's Fastnet Pub Named Bike Friendly Business of the Year

NEWPORT, RI—When the push began to promote bicycling in Newport, Butch Murray threw some bike racks outside his eatery, Fastnet Pub, right away.

When it came time to promote an event supporting bike-friendly initiatives, Murray was always game. 

And then Murray outdid himself by letting Bike Newport set up a fix-it shop for bikes to make cycling more accessible to everyone at his 29 Spring St. property. Rent free.

For being so reliable, so eager to help promote cycling in Newport, it has come time for Murray to get some proper thanks.

That's why Bike Newport named Murray's business, Fastnet Pub, the 2016 Bike Friendly Business of the Year.

"We can call this the Bike Friendly Business of the Year, or the Bike Newport Friendly Business of the Year - in every way, Butch is making Newport better for bikes!" said Bari Freeman, director of Bike Newport, in prepared remarks.

Murray received the award on Bike to Work Day last week. Along with public accolades, he gets a one-of-a-kind trophy to put on display to mark the accomplishment fabricated from a bike wheel by local sculptor Howard Newman with his wife and partner Mary Newman.

Bike to Work Day activities were supported by numerous businesses and attended by more than 100 cyclists, according to Bike Newport. In addition to the Bike Friendly Business award, the day included a bike commuter breakfast, the release of the new 2016 Newport County Bike Map, a police-escorted Bike Parade, and a party at Bike Newport's new location. 

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